The Whale and Vessel Safety Taskforce (WAVS) recognizes Garmin, a founding member of WAVS, for its groundbreaking AIS (Automatic Identification System) messaging feature that delivers targeted safety alerts directly to boaters through onboard Garmin systems.
The newly announced feature enables critical warning messages to be sent to AIS-equipped
Garmin chartplotters, including information in real-time about the presence of North Atlantic right
whales or other marine mammals in vessel transit areas. This development represents an
important step toward delivering timely, location-based alerts to vessels in a cost-effective,
scalable, and highly efficient manner.
“This is exactly the type of advancement needed to move pertinent data and information to
vessel operators,” said WAVS Chairman John DePersenaire. “Garmin’s solution uses
infrastructure that already exists on thousands of boats—it’s a game-changer.”
Garmin’s AIS messaging capability opens the door for future integration of whale sighting data,
dynamic management zones, and predictive risk forecasts into navigation systems. It is
particularly helpful in efforts to protect the endangered North Atlantic right whale.
“We’re proud to play a role in advancing both maritime safety and conservation,” said Garmin’s
Shaun Ruge, a taskforce member. “This new AIS messaging capability reflects Garmin’s
commitment to supporting the boating community and environmental stewardship. By enabling
targeted alerts to reach mariners directly through their Garmin devices, we’re helping to support
safer waterways for both people and marine life.”
A Viking Marine Group initiative, WAVS is a nonprofit coalition of marine industry leaders,
scientists, and technology developers dedicated to reducing the risk of vessel strikes to whales
and other marine mammals. Garmin’s innovation aligns perfectly with the WAVS mission of
utilizing technology and private-sector partnerships to improve awareness and response on the
water.
Garmin’s new feature helps create a real-time alerting system. “It’s an ideal blend of
conservation and technology to provide mariners with relevant, actionable information without
needing to change their operations or install new systems,” said DePersenaire. “This is an
important step toward leveraging technology to meet conservation objectives.”
For more about WAVS, visit wavstaskforce.com.
